Columbia and Boone County Proposed New Animal Facility

The city and county plan to purchase a larger property to replace the current undersized Animal Control office.

Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Pets — General

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring modular kennel doors in a modern industrial setting, representing expanded animal control infrastructure. — The City of Columbia and Boone County plan to spend $995,000 on a new facility to improve Animal Control operations and disease management. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you support your local government investing in larger facilities to improve public animal services?

The City of Columbia and Boone County have proposed the $995,000 purchase of a new property at 1300 East Boone Industrial Drive for Animal Control. The expansion aims to address growing service needs and improve disease containment efforts.

Why it matters

Current operations at the Central Missouri Humane Society are restricted by limited space, which hinders the city's ability to manage animal services effectively. A larger dedicated facility will provide the capacity required to better serve the local animal population and improve operational safety.

The proposed site includes a 3,600-square-foot building on a 2-acre lot, representing a significant upgrade from the 60-square-foot space currently housing Animal Control. The current facility is limited to a maximum capacity of 25 animals.

The players

City of Columbia

The local government authority responsible for municipal services and co-funding the new animal facility.

Boone County

The county government entity partnering with the city to finance the expansion of animal control infrastructure.

The details

The City of Columbia will contribute $595,000 toward the total purchase price, while Boone County will provide $400,000. This partnership seeks to move operations out of the Central Missouri Humane Society shelter on W. Worley St. into a standalone site that supports better disease containment.

The first reading of the purchase proposal occurs Monday at the City Council meeting.
A second reading and public comment session are scheduled for Oct. 5.
The city expects to close on the property on Oct. 9, pending official approval.

Culture Shift

This move represents a broader transition away from reliance on shared shelter space toward autonomous local government facilities. This strategy follows a pattern set by municipalities nationwide transitioning toward dedicated animal control infrastructure to manage rising service demands.

Residents can expect improved animal control services and enhanced disease management capabilities once the new facility opens. The partnership ensures that costs are split between the city and county, mitigating the direct financial impact on any single municipal budget.

The takeaway

The proposed purchase marks a transition toward modern, scalable infrastructure for city animal services. Residents should stay informed about the upcoming public comment session to engage with the city's future planning for animal care.

What happens next

The project will move to a second reading and public comment session on Oct. 5, followed by an expected closing date on Oct. 9 if the purchase receives final approval.